Life, Death and Ancestors
How do unborn children and departed siblings differ as religious connections?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
The difference is the relationship to the person. An unborn child had a connection to become one's own child but did not reach birth; a departed sibling had a connection to become a brother or sister but left very early. These are terms we use when discussing such religious relationships.
So asking only whether you personally had an abortion does not establish that no such connection is possible. Father, mother, and sibling are different relationships. Some families do not tell later children about earlier miscarriages or early deaths.
However, knowing a term does not mean everyone is affected. I have also said not every miscarriage or abortion results in an infant-spirit situation. First explain your actual experiences, then explore the relationship discussed religiously. A label alone cannot determine conclusions about yourself or family.
The Chinese term describes a connection that originally existed but did not lead to life together. Understanding it aims to guide blessings and settling, not to imagine every unborn or early-deceased child as seeking revenge.